Jump to Content

What we mean when we say:

The following terms are commonly used in the enrolment process, with a short description of each provided below.

Program	A program is a combination of courses undertaken during university study to obtain a degree, certificate or diploma.
Plan	An academic plan is the area of specialisation within an academic program. For example, International Business within a Bachelor of Business.
Course	At UniSA, a course is the basic component of an academic program. A course is identified by a course name (e.g. Chemistry 101) and an area and catalogue number (e.g. CHEM1007).
Subject area and Catalogue number	The subject area and catalogue number comprises a four letter code plus a number, one to four digits in length, that identifies an individual course, for example, BIOL 1033.
Component	Components are the types of classes that make up the course (e.g. lecture, tutorial, etc). Refer below, to the Study component table, for further information.
Class	Each individual component of a course is a class, with each class identified by a unique class number. A component (e.g. lecture, tutorial, etc) may have multiple classes available for enrolment.
Class number	A class number is a unique number used to identify individual classes held during a specified study period. You use class numbers to enrol via myEnrolment, starting with the enrolment class number.
Enrolment class	An enrolment class is the first class you enrol in for a particular course. There may be multiple enrolment classes if the course is offered in an alternative mode or on a different campus. All other components will be related to the enrolment class.
Auto-enrol class	In some courses, once you select the enrolment class, you are automatically enrolled (auto-enrol) in a second class (e.g. by choosing a tutorial you are automatically enrolled into the lecture).
Related classes (non-enrol class)	Related classes are other components of the course, and are related to the enrolment class. Also referred to as non-enrol classes.
Study periods	The term 'Study Period' replaces 'Term' and 'Semester'. A study period is the period of time during which all aspects of a course occur, including reading, preparation, induction and orientation, contact hours (or teaching period) and assessment. It does not necessarily include any supplementary or deferred assessment, which may be scheduled outside of the study period. Study Period 1, 2 and 3 are referred to as the first half of the year Study Periods 4, 5 and 6 are referred to as the second half of the year, incorporating Winter School Study Period 7 is referred to as Summer School

Study components

Lecture	A lecture is a formal presentation by an academic staff member, usually to a large number of students. Opportunities for discussion are generally limited.
Tutorial	A tutorial is a class of between 5-30 students in which students discuss key topics, concepts and ideas with their tutors. Tutorials are closely linked to assessment and often involve small group discussions and group work. All students are expected to prepare for tutorials and participate actively in class discussions. Tutorials often complement lectures and generally run for 1-2 hours.
Practical	A practical is a learning opportunity that involves a brief presentation by the lecturer or tutor, followed by students participating in various exercises or experiments. Practicals provide opportunities for interaction and discussion.
Computer Practical	A computer practical takes place in a computer pool, and may consist of a brief presentation by the lecturer or tutor followed by students completing exercises.
Seminar	A seminar consists of a small group of students and usually runs for 1-3 hours. A seminar may include a presentation by the lecturer or tutor, or by a group of students. Students are expected to prepare for and participate actively in seminars by giving a paper, answering questions or discussing subject matter in small groups.
Workshop	A workshop usually involves a short introduction in which a specific problem is identified and presented to students by the lecturer or tutor. This is followed by discussion and activities in which students work collaboratively to investigate, analyse and formulate a solution to the problem. Outcomes may be presented by groups or by individual students at the completion of the workshop.
External	External mode is distance education. Students receive course materials and submit assignments by mail or online and do not attend a campus.
Directed Study	A directed study is a course in which a student works under the direction of an academic on a subject area relevant to their program, and in which they have a particular interest.
Online	Online mode is an alternative to studying face-to-face. Online courses are delivered via the internet with online materials and interactive discussion groups. Online mode is often a hybrid with external mode.
Fieldwork	Fieldwork is completed in an organisation or environment outside the University. The focus is on linking what is learnt in class with what is seen, collected, and tested in the field. Aims of fieldwork may include observing principles learnt in class, applying acquired knowledge in real life situations and collecting information to be used in class.
Offshore	Offshore refers to UniSA international activity outside Australia. Programs and courses offered offshore are not available to students studying in Australia.